What Is Soft Play Equipment Made Of

Soft play is a brilliant activity for children as it contributes to their emotional, physical and social wellbeing. The fun coloured equipment and variety of forms of play ensure that every child can be engaged in an activity that meets their needs. 

Whether you are sourcing soft play equipment for at home or for refurbishing a business, selecting items that are made from safety-assured materials is essential. In this article, we’ll share what soft play equipment is made from and highlight the importance of certain materials. If you want to know what equipment you should be looking for to keep children safe at all times, keep reading.

What Considerations Are Made When Soft Play Equipment Is Manufactured?

Soft play spaces must meet certain standards relating to the health and safety of children. This also covers the installation of items and cleanliness, and the types of equipment are also vital to consider. Whether the equipment is being used in a nursery or mobile play space, the design must reflect aspects which make for a safe space for little ones. 

When creating soft play equipment, the benefits of soft play itself are considered. This means all equipment must provide:

• A fun and safe place to relax and unwind.
• Robust designs which facilitate exploring and physical development.
• Something for all ages, taking into account different skill levels and preferences.
• A range of styles is ideal for all different types of soft play centres and available budgets.

The materials used to create soft play equipment are vital to get right as they must ensure that the various vulnerabilities children experience are not exposed during playtime.

What Is Soft Play Equipment Made Of?

Now that we have shared the importance of soft play equipment meeting certain standards, below we have included a run down of what materials are used to construct professional items. Each of these recommended materials combine safety with comfort ensuring soft play spaces are also inviting for little ones to interact with.

Soft Yet Durable Foam

As the name suggests, soft play is made up of cushioned equipment which minimises the risk of little ones hiring themselves during independent play. For this reason, foam is used as the core of most soft play items as this allows a suitable level of shock absorption. It’s also known for still being durable making it ideal for supporting the weight of children. 

Foam is also known for being tear-resistant, good for reducing noise, and lightweight. The most popular types of foam used for creating soft play equipment are Polyurethane and Polyethylene. Between both types, different densities are available meaning that the firmness can be selected based on the form that the equipment needs to take. For example, as Polyurethane is lighter, it’s ideal for freestanding equipment. However, polyethylene is more durable, which makes it perfect for supporting multi-level play structures. This also makes it easy for soft play spaces to choose equipment for areas intended to be used by different ages so that something can be offered for everyone.

Another example of when foam can be used is to enhance safety even further within spaces that cater to the more unique requirements of children with special needs. This includes creating padded walls or designing bespoke equipment which is better catered to children with additional physical support needs. This flexibility means soft play spaces can cater to everyone which is one of the reasons they are so popular.

Wooden, Plastic and Metal Frames

Not all materials used in soft play equipment are cushioned as some have a responsibility to create strong structures.For this reason, wooden and metal frames are commonly used to build the core of items such as our dual-level soft play area equipment. 

These materials are strong, budget-friendly and can handle varying weights, enhancing the safety of even elaborate soft play setups. Plastic is also commonly used for additional accessories, such as climbing frames and slides, with different designs being available for a variety of ages.

Easy-Clean PVC and Vinyl Covers

Although the internal materials are essential for achieving the perfect soft play items, the covers are equally just as important to get right. 

For this reason, PVC and vinyl are the most commonly used materials as they offer a whole host of properties that make them suitable for use around children. This includes being easy to wipe clean, suitable for most allergy sufferers, water-resistant and great for ensuring safety as they offer a smooth finish. They are also incredibly durable and easy to maintain, meaning they offer a brilliant investment for high-footfall soft play areas such as those within shopping centres.

These materials are also available in a wide selection of colours, which is how soft play spaces can show their personalities and incorporate fun hues that evoke excitement in children. They are also perfect for covering internal materials ensuring children are never exposed to materials that could lead to issues if they were interacted with.

Safety-Assured Supporting Materials

Finally, it’s also important to consider the materials that are used as the finishing components of equipment and play structure installations. 

As mentioned, soft play items are easy to clean, which is why most are finished with velcro or zips. These also have the purpose of allowing items to be installed together so that pieces are not moving around when in use. Additionally, this means soft play spaces can be reconfigured when required, with items still being securely fitted together. It should be mentioned that all zips and velcro are concealed on top-quality equipment to ensure nothing is exposed to kids. 

In larger soft play spaces, it’s also common to come across nylon and polyester materials which can be used for protective nets, soft climbing walls and catch nets. These materials are flexible yet durable meaning they offer the perfect level of safety for children. They can also be used both indoors and outdoors making them suitable for a wide selection of soft play spaces.

Why Is It Important to Only Buy Soft Play Equipment From Specialist Manufacturers?

Although the materials we have outlined in this blog are the most common and recommended ones for creating good quality soft play equipment, that doesn’t mean all manufacturers meet these standards. When selecting a place to purchase items from, it’s essential to ensure they have considered what materials are best to use. This should be demonstrated in the product specifications to align with the materials we have recommended above.

As well as ensuring the quality and durability of materials are up to standard, choosing soft play equipment from reputable suppliers also helps spaces comply with different safety regulations and receive brilliant value for money as items will remain in great condition for a good amount of time.

If the quality of materials and, therefore, the construction of soft play equipment is compromised, items could pose a risk to children. This not only presents safety issues but can negatively impact the brand reputation of businesses.

What Soft Play Equipment Is Available From Softplay Solutions?

At Softplay Solutions, we offer a broad range of equipment that is created from all of the materials mentioned in this article. For us, safety is of paramount importance, which is why quality materials are used for everything from our nursery equipment to large structures. We also offer a wide selection of colours, styles and shapes to ensure any soft play space can source the best equipment for their needs. 

To ensure you never have to compromise on selecting equipment that is below the recommended standard, we offer a range of price points plus different finance solutions. This means no matter the budget, the quality of materials never has to be compromised.

Our team is passionate about all things soft play, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions about materials or anything else.